Dubai International Airport welcomes one billionth passenger

Dubai International Airport on Thursday welcomed its one billionth passenger.

The Vice President and Ruler of Dubai praised the achievement, saying
Dubai had reached a “new phase in its journey towards a bright future”.

The billionth passenger was nine-year-old Arjun who arrived at Dubai International from Orlando, Florida, on Thursday afternoon, earning him and his family four days of the best Dubai has to offer.

Dubai International Airport received its one billionth passenger today, marking a new phase in its journey towards a bright future. One billion passengers have made DXB a part of their personal story and helped shape Dubai into a global hub. pic.twitter.com/uJN4NlWMuA

“Dubai International Airport received its one billionth passenger today, marking a new phase in its journey towards a bright future,” Sheikh Mohammed said. “One billion passengers have made DXB a part of their personal story and helped shape Dubai into a global hub,” he added.

Arjun and his family, who arrived from Orlando on an Emirates flight
at 12.23pm will be treated to a four-day “Dubai experience”, the
emirate’s airport company wrote.

Arjun and his family will stay at the Atlantis hotel, ferried around
by a Tesla limousine and experience four days of Dubai luxury including a
guided tour of the Burj Khalifa, a personal shopping experience at
Dubai Mall, backstage access and tickets to La Perle, and a private
desert safari.

They were greeted by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and CEO and Chairman of Emirates Group.

Pictures show Arjun clapping after hitting a red button on a podium, triggering a cascade of confetti from the ceiling.

Sheikh Mohammed said Dubai was “committed to remaining the first choice in transporting people across borders, helping them fulfil dreams, meet loved ones, and discover the world’s wonders”.

The airport, which is the world’s busiest by international passenger
traffic, opened in 1960 with a 1,800-metre runway made of compacted
sand.

This year, the airport expects to cater to more than 90 million passengers through three terminals. About 2.65 million tonnes of cargo travel through the airport each year.

The airport has grown considerably over the years, reflecting the
development of the emirate. There are now three terminals and the
world’s first and largest purpose-built A380 facility.

Since 2015, it has been the world’s third largest airport by
passenger traffic, beaten only by Beijing Capital International Airport
and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

The airport is the home base for Emirates Airlines and low-cost sister airline flydubai.

It is also a hub of innovation in the commercial passenger industry, being the first airport to trial face-scanning tunnels which could replace immigration officers.

India, the UK and Saudi Arabia were the airport’s top destinations in
October, with nearly one million passengers travelling to India.

Next year, airlines at Dubai International Airport will reduce flights for 45 days while the southern runway is closed for resurfacing and replacement of ground lighting.